BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~ The Drina Bridge - Visegrad - UNESCO ~

... Great view of an legendary and imposing bridge that withstood the test of time and the central feature of Visegrad... dating from the 16th century, it has got 11 elegant stone arches, which with the massive, also stone piers, compose the support the lenght of 179 metres and width of 6 metres... designed and built by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and one of the most important and significant monuments of Ottoman empire... it took him six years to finish this work of art... the bridge survived many wars and floods.... the Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge is also widely known because of the 1945 book "The Bridge on the Drina", by Nobel Prize–winning Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić... Thanks Voj Che!【ツ】

Photo: Andrić B.
Višegrad sits at the meeting point of the Drina and Rzav rivers in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Drina is a 346 km long river, which forms a large portion of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge received UNESCO World Heritage Listing in 2007.

 

Stamp:

Dogs

(27-10-2022)

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~ Mostar - UNESCO ~

... Mystical view of a stunning, historically significant landmark... this iconic Ottoman-style Stari Most (Old Bridge) crosses a fast-flowing river in a valley that splits the city in two surrounded by mountains... it is one one of the most important pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans... a symbol of resilience, reconciliation and hope... this beautiful bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Yugoslav Wars... fortunately, the bridge was rebuilt after the war using the same materials that were used in the original construction of the bridge in the 16th century, and it was reopened in 2004... it was reconstructed so perfectly that people who walked on this bridge before it was destroyed and after it was rebuilt couldn’t tell the difference... Thanks Kristijan!【ツ】  

The city of Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the south of the country, on the banks of the river Neretva in a basin between the mountain massifs of Velež and Čabulja. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. 

The "Stari Most" was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and designed by Mimar Hayruddin, a student and apprentice of the architect Mimar Sinan, who built many of the Sultan’s key buildings in Istanbul and around the Ottoman Empire.

 

Stamp:

Maglic - Highest Peak in Bosnia Herzegovina

(Issued 21-11-2017)

Bosnia and Herzegovina ~ Blagaj Tekija - UNESCO tentative list ~

... Wonderful B & Herzegovina’s postcard nr 2... this modest white Ottoman-era building is located at the base of extremely high cliffs... set at the spring of the River Buna whose water gushes out of a cave in a lovely clean blue-green hue is something unique... it is considered to be one of the countries most holy and ancient sites... the monastery is a tekija or tekke, (a type of Islamic religious building)  a place of spiritual retreat and reflection... it was and still is a venue for dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly... the monastery is worth a visit, but its setting and location makes it really a worthwhile stop... Big Thanks once more  Gian Luca and Raffaella! \_(♥‿♥)_/ 

The Blagaj Tekke was created between 1446 and 1520. It was first mentioned in a 1664 Travelogue by Evliya Çelebi on his travels. By the 1800’s, the Austrian-Hungary regime had all Tekke’s shutdown. The next record comes in 1851, when at the request of a Ottoman General the Tekke was reconstructed including two musafirhanas (charity houses for guests) to be used for the accommodation of travelers.

In the 1900’s the Tekke was destroyed by both rock slides (1949 & 1951) restored and then in 1952, the dervishes were expelled from the Tekke under Communist rule. Before the Bosnian wars in the 1990’s, the dervishes started to return to the Tekke as a gathering place.

Finally in 2012, formal restoration was carried out by the Turkish travel agency Fidan Tours. The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina ceded the Tekke to Fidan Tours for use for 33 years.

 

Stamps: 

Views of Zepa 

(Issued 16-03-2023)

2020 BKZ Preporod Literary House Luminaries 

(Issued 30-11-2020)

BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA ~ Pocitelj - UNESCO tentative list ~

... Nice aerial view of a charming historic fortified village often described as an open-air museum... perched on a mountainside overlooking the serene emerald Neretva River... a place where time stands still and history comes to live... Pocitelj intrigues with its medieval and Ottoman character and  architecture... with a towering minaret, stone houses, narrow streets... and fortress on top of the hill that gives you a spectacular panoramic view of the region...Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿◠‿◠)  

Pocitelj is located in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The town was first mentioned on records from the 15th century, but it was likely founded even earlier, in the late 14th century.

It was a town of  important administrative and military center during the Ottoman times, but began to lose this importance during the Austro-Hungarian rule, resulting in many residents moving elsewhere.

During the Bosnian war in 1993, Pocitelj became a target of the Croats’ due to its high percentage of Bosniak inhabitants. Buildings were damaged, as was the mosque and examples of Islamic art.

Work began to restore some of the buildings; the mosque has been brought back to its former glory, however, not all of the restoration followed traditional methods

Počitelj has been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2007.  

Stamps:

Views of Zepa 

(Issued 16-03-2023)

Logo BZK “Preporod”

(Issued 30-11-2020)

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ~ Map ~

... Beautiful map postcard with small views of Old Bridges...the country is nicknamed the “Heart Shaped Land” due to the country’s slight heart shape o͜͡o .... it gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1992... the name “Bosnia” comes from an Indo-European word Bosana, which means water.... it is home to the Perucica Rainforest, the largest rainforest in Europe... Thanks a lot Zana!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, between Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. The capital city, Sarajevo, is located near the center of the country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two Entities – the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic Srpska.

The Bosnian region in the north is mountainous and covered with thick forests. The Herzegovina region in the south is largely rugged, flat farmland. It has a narrow coastline without natural harbors stretching 20 km along the Adriatic Sea.
Stamps:

Berries
(Issued 04-08-2015)

Chairmanship of the Council of Europe
(Issued 21-06-2015)

Fauna - Mammals
( 31-01-2007)

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~ The National and University Library - Sarajevo ~

... beautiful historic building on the Miljacka River, at the far end of the Old Town... Many thanks Jobbo!!

The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the city of Sarajevo.

The Vijecnica as it was called was initially the largest and most representative building of the Austro-Hungarian period in Sarajevo and served as the city hall built in a pseudo-Moorish style at the end of the 19th century.

The building was destroyed in 1992 during the Siege of Sarajevo and 90 per cent of the books in it were destroyed. It has since been restored and reopened May 9, 2014.

Sent from France:

National symbols Mankind (Women)- Marianne
(Issued 16-07-2013)

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~Karagözbey Mosque - Mostar ~

One more nice surprise thanks to Jobbo...lovely art postcard...my third card ever receive from Bosnia and Herzegovina (last one dates from 2012)... Many Thanks once again Jobbo!!

Karagözbey Mosque is a mosque in the city of Mostar. With its big dome and high minaret it is the largest in the region. Karagözbey Mosque was built in 1554 or 1557 by Mehmed Bey Karagöz (Mehmed-beg Karađoz), the brother of Ottoman vizier Rüstem Pasha. The plans for the mosque were drawn up by famed Turkish architect, Mimar Sinan. There are no images in the gallery.

The mosque was severely damaged during World War II, and faced near destruction during the Bosnian War in the early 1990's. However, Karagözbey Mosque, like the rest of Mostar, underwent extensive repairs between 2002 and 2004. The mosque was completely renovated, and reopened to the public in July 2004.



Author: Sead Vladović Guče

Stamp:

Definitive Issue - Drinking Fountain in Tuzla
(Issued 10-04-2007)

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -Una National Park~

...Great nature views...It took more than 2 years to receive a second card from this place...
Don't know much about Bosnia...Sadly enough only through the Bosnan War...In the three and a half years (1992-1995) of conflict, more than 100,000 were killed. Sarajevo suffered the longest siege of any city in modern times. Ten thousand of its citizens were killed
...and all this happend in Europe no longer than 20 years ago!! :( Thanks Jasmin!

...No real stamps used.:(

Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a country in Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Sarajevo.

Una National Park on an area of 19,800ha, is defined by the unspoiled river that runs through it. The Una offers crystal clear water and world class river rafting.The River Una’s stunning waterfalls and white water rapids highlight Bosnia and Herzegovina’s newest National Park. The most famous waterfalls are those at Martin Brod.

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~ Bihac~

.... And again a new country to enlarge my collection. :-) GREAT!!

From the internet: Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of the former Yugoslavia and became independent in 1992. Soon after gaining independence, the country was thrown into a long and devastating civil war. Fortunately there is now peace and they are working hard to rebuild the country. Bosnia-Herzegovina is a patchwork of peoples and religions.

Bihać is a city and municipality on the river Una in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.The Fethija mosque in Bihać was, until the 16th century, a church, and still features an arched doorway and rose window from its earlier incarnation.